The Canuts Wall in comic book form

Stubborn

The title is «"The Wall of the Canuts"», accompanied by the subtitle «"A mural that tells the story of a neighborhood and its inhabitants"».

On the left, a young illustrated guide welcomes the reader and announces that he will tell the story of this unique work which has been evolving for more than thirty years.

At the center appears the Mur des Canuts in its current version. The fresco represents a vast trompe-l'œil giving the illusion of real buildings, staircases, windows, balconies, shops and inhabitants living in the district.

A box summarizes the main information:

• location: boulevard des Canuts, Lyon 4th arrondissement; ;
• first completed in 1987; ;
• creation by the artistic cooperative CitéCréation; ;
• work updated in 1997 and then in 2013.

Panel 1 – Before 1987: a large, lifeless wall

The scene shows a huge grey wall, bare and undecorated, bordering a street in Croix-Rousse.

A few cars are parked at the foot of the wall.

The guide explains that before 1987, this blank facade gave a sad image to the neighborhood and that an artistic project was conceived to bring it back to life.

Panel 2 – 1987: Birth of a project

Artists and residents are brought together around plans.

A large poster announces the objective: to tell the story of the neighborhood and its inhabitants.

The text explains that the town hall of the 4th arrondissement and the residents are entrusting the implementation of the project to the CitéCréation cooperative.

The future mural must represent the Canuts, the inhabitants, the shops and the identity of Croix-Rousse.

Panel 3 – A street that doesn't exist

The artists are painting a huge trompe-l'œil mural.

The reader discovers fictional buildings, balconies, open windows, staircases and passages giving the impression of entering a real street.

The guide points out that everything is painted: it is not a real neighborhood but a particularly realistic optical illusion.

Panel 4 – 1997: the mural evolves

The same facade appears with new characters, new businesses, and modified buildings.

The text explains that the fresco is being completely redesigned ten years after its creation in order to reflect the real evolution of Croix-Rousse.

The goal is to represent a living neighborhood, not an image frozen in time.

Vignette 5 – 2013: a new transformation

The mural is evolving once again.

Some buildings disappear while others appear.

New residents are represented.

The guide explains that each generation can recognize their neighborhood in this work which continues to evolve.

Panel 6 – Today: a symbol of Lyon

Several visitors are photographing the Mur des Canuts.

The fresco appears in its current state.

The text reminds us that it has become one of the most photographed monuments in Lyon.

It is presented as a living portrait of Croix-Rousse, its history and its inhabitants.

Key points to remember«

The comic strip summarizes the main points:

• The Mur des Canuts was created in 1987 by the artists of CitéCréation; ;
• It is regularly updated to keep pace with changes in the neighborhood; ;
• He pays tribute to the Canuts but also to the inhabitants and daily life of Croix-Rousse; ;
• It is a huge trompe-l'œil transforming a blank facade into an imaginary street.

Main message

This comic strip shows that the Mur des Canuts is not just a monumental work of art. It constitutes a living portrait of the Croix-Rousse district. Unlike a classical painting, it evolves with its neighborhood: its buildings, shops, and inhabitants are regularly updated to reflect the life of the city.